Cod liver oil and fish oils are two different supplements that have overlapping but distinct effects. Cod liver oil refers to the oil extracted from the liver of the cold water cod fish. This oil is high in vitamin A and vitamin D and also contain some omega-3 long chain marine oils including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5 (n-3)) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6 (n-3)). Sometimes cod liver oil has vitamin E added to it to prevent rancidity. Fish oils refers to a group of products that are the EPA and DHA extracted from cod liver oil. This is a more concentrated form of EPA and DHA and has much lower amounts of vitamin D and vitamin A, but usually more vitamin E. The advantages of fish oil over cod liver oil is that the vitamin D and vitamin A levels are lower and so more of the oil can be taken without risk of toxicity. However, if taking the oil as a source of those vitamins cod liver oil is a better choice. Some cod liver oils supplements have added fish oils which can make them a good all round choice.
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